2006-12-13 12:10:40 · 15 answers · asked by isiss_eyes 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Yes, by this I mean the government operates in English only. No ballots in other languages (exceptions could be made for native tribal areas, they were here first after all), etc. You would never be able to "outlaw" other languages, it would be impossible to enforce. The government should not have to print things in multiple languages, and why should a second one be chosen. If that's the case, then why not a third, fourth, and so on. There has to be a stop somewhere.
2006-12-13 12:18:27 · answer #1 · answered by The Doctor 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English is the official language of the U.S. It was chosen as such and enacted into federal law in the First Continental Congress because of a need for the decision. German was a very dominent language at the time and there was a strong debate over whether it or English should be the official language of the new country. English won the vote, but just barely. And it was voted as the official language and made so by a federal act. Do some research.
2006-12-13 12:42:11 · answer #2 · answered by quietwalker 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes realizing that English is the primary language of the United States. It should further be mentioned that English is a language in transition. By this I mean that words are constantly being added from other languages, to the extent that they become common place, and acceptable.
2006-12-13 12:26:53 · answer #3 · answered by Beau R 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It pretty much is already as all our legal system operates on it. For instance clerk of court records, mortgages, and such are normally filed in English, Congress operates in English and all our laws are written and distributed in English. I personally look at this issue similar to France or Germany or another country that speak a language other than English. If you go to France, there is most things in French of course. People speak it and it is used almost all the time. However for legal transactions and such there is often options of having things handled in various other languages to accomodate folks that aren't fluent in French. Just as there are here. You call a customer service with the bank here and first thing they usually ask you on those phone menus is if you want to continue in English. Most folks do of course and it is the default setting. However Spanish and other language folks have options available to hear many of the options or conduct these transactions in that language. Regions in different countries have more or less catering to folks that speak different languages simply based on the number of folks there that speak other languages. Most towns on the border areas have all sorts of info in Spanish and often staffed with people who are bilingual as so many of the folks living there either only speak Spanish, or are more fluent in it when conducting business. Spanish support is probably not a big deal in someplace like N. Dakota or any area that has few spanish speakers. It is just evolving and this country has evolved since the time if formed. Life will be a little different down the road and we might have more diversity, but as the immigrant groups grow larger I suspect that more and more of them will learn English simply because it opens up more opportunities, not jjust in the U.S. but around the world as well as you can most always get business conducted using English at least partly no matter where you go. To sum up, I think it is already our "official" language even if not purposely designated. At some point if we wind up with 75 percent of the folks here speaking Spanish as their main language I'm sure that Spanish will have taken over and will be a dead issue. Otherwise it will continue on as is.
2006-12-13 12:27:01 · answer #4 · answered by mohavedesert 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
English IS the official language of Arizona.
2006-12-13 13:22:18 · answer #5 · answered by April 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, The government should declare English as the one and only official language of the United States. Otherwise we will spend billions in translations. It's our money we should demand the Government spend it wisely.
2006-12-13 12:27:28 · answer #6 · answered by rbwtexan 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yes. We have all spoke English for years. It is what was taught in schools. We have had English classes, spelling{of English} and everything for years. Why should we change it just because illegals don't want to play by the rules
2006-12-15 04:32:27 · answer #7 · answered by abby normal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes because if you are in a country it your duty to learn the language however most americans are spoiled and if they go to another country they speak in english so their are two sides
2006-12-13 15:04:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! Because it's the American language. There's enough chaos and division.
2006-12-13 12:19:48 · answer #9 · answered by womanfromok 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
English is spoken everyday, but for some of us, we still speak our native tongue such as Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Vietnamese, French, etc. and we still get more immigrants coming into the country.
I think English should stay as a de facto.
2006-12-13 12:23:31 · answer #10 · answered by boboluv06@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋